RUMORS, GOSSIP & UNFOUNDED TRUTHS: SEVENTH INNING STRETCH

This is the gig of a lifetime. You get to wear funny clothes, ride vividly color machines, frolic in the sun, hobnob with the Tom Moen, and the test brand new 2017 motocross bikes on a perfectly prepped track. Being an MXA test rider is living high on the hog.

The MXA wrecking crew has been at Glen Helen Raceway more days in the past week than there are days in the past week working on our 2017 MXA 450 Shootout. We have been testing the six big bores by racing them whenever possible, doing photo shoots (of which you can see the outtakes below) and filming the shootout video. In our spare time we are preparing to race all six bikes at the World Vet Championship this weekend—and Jody even took time out to design a new track for the Vet race. On a side note, we have buttoned up are 2017 250 Four-Stroke shootout which will be on the newstands soon.

2017 Kawasaki KX450: There is nothing as majestic to do on a motocross bike than to throw in a switchback—with all the dirt going one way and the test rider going the other.

2017 KTM 450SXF: At only 222 pounds, the big Katoom is the lightest 450cc motocross bike made (and would be the third lightest 250 fofur-stroke). It just seems to float above the ground.

2017 Yamaha YZ450F: If you can’t afford repair bills, a breakdown or not getting the holeshot, the YZ450F is the bike for you. It’s a missile on the start and a savior at the wallet.

2017 Suzuki RM-Z450: Suzukis are front end handling machines, with a front tire that sticks like glue to the ground, which makes it all the more fun to power slide it around turns with the rear wheel doing all the work.

2017 Honda CRF450: They are coming to a dealership near you very soon, but for now, MXA’s CRF450 is coming right at you and leaving a spray of sand as crumbs for others to follow.

2017 Husqvarna FC450: Backlit by the sun and framed by the canyon wall behind it, the bright white 2017 Husky FC450 seems to be wheelying through a cosmic glow.

Nov. 4…Damon Huffman 1975Nov. 4…Greg FoxNov. 7…Shane Watts 1972

Nov. 8…Weston Peick 1990Nov. 8…Dave Strijbos

Nov. 8…Tyla Rattray 1985Nov. 9…Paul Boudreau

Nov. 10…Cooper Webb 1995Nov. 10…Pat Lio

Nov. 10…Eli Tomac 1992

The fuel-injected model with air forks, five-speed tranny and 11 inches of travel costs $9000 more.

Chrisitini AWD Fat Bike.

After a ten-year break in production of All Wheel Drive mountain bikes, two-wheel-drive motorcycle manufacturer Christini is relaunching their original two-wheel drive mountain bike concept—and mating it to the popular Fatbike segment. Initially offering both a 4″ split frame and a 5″ wide tire design, the bikes will feature Christini’s patented AWD system providing unmatched traction and control while enabling a rider to conquer the toughest conditions. These two models will also have an electric assist option utilizing a mid drive motor and high capacity battery. For more info go to www.christinibicycles.com.

This 1975 Yamaha MX250 and MX400 ad featured Pierre Karsmakers and was an excellent use of a factory rider to sell machines. The manufacturers often shy away from using factory riders in their ads because they feel it promotes the rider at the expense of ad space for the bike. This was a good use of a racer.

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None of these schedules are set in stone, but you can count on the Supercross and Arenacross schedules to be accurate.

Now that the young guy’s Championships are decided, all eyes will turn to the older set at the 2016 Dubya-sponsored World Vet Championships. There are Pro classes for the Over-30, Over-40 and Over-50 racers. Expect the competition to be intense. For more info go to www.glenhelen.com

Interested in getting a new bike this year? The November 2016 issue of MXA will be on the news stands soon and has test of seven bikes that you could own—including the 2017 KTM 150SX, 2017 Suzuki RM-Z250, 2017 Yamaha YZ450F, 2017 Husqvarna FC450 and 2017 KTM 250SXF. Plus, if you subscribe now you get a $25 gift certificate from Rocky Mountain ATV/MC which more than pays for your subscription.

Do you subscribe to MXA? You should. We know that you think that print magazines are dead and that the internet will fill the void, but most of the stuff in the current issue of MXA won’t appear on the web for several months, if at all. Luckily, you can get all of MXA on your iPhone, iPad, Kindle or Android by going to the Apple Store, Amazon or Google Play. Better yet get the Digital desktop version athttps://hi-torque.com/product/motocross-action-digital-edition/ for $9.99 a year. The MXA test riders prefer the print version and not just because it is delivered by a uniformed employee of the U.S. Government, but because for only $19.99 you get 12 issues and a free $25 Gift Card from Rocky Mountain ATV/MC. That means that there is a profit to be made in this deal for you. For the Print magazine go to: http://hi-torque.com/product/subscribe-to-motocross-action-magazine/